The project

WHAT: The restoration of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow. Extensive work has been carried out on this landmark museum both to the structure and fabric of the building. This included work to the roof, maintaining the internal drain pipes and restoration work in the interior. The most ambitious part of the scheme was excavation work carried out in the basement that has created an extra 1,789 metres of space. This has created a new entrance to the museum at ground level as well as a shop, café, restaurant and a new lecture theatre. Overall there is 35% more floor space and a total of 8,000 exhibits – 3,000 more than before the refurbishment. Extensive cleaning, especially to the stone, was also carried out.

HOW MUCH: £27.9m

WHEN: The scheme was split into two – the base build and alterations started in August 2003 and practical completion was June last year. The fit out took a further year. The gallery was officially opened on Tuesday by the Lord Provost Liz Cameron.

CONTRACT: The base build was £20m two stage traditional JCT. The £7.9m fit-out was a form of construction management overseen by Capita Symonds.

WHO: QS, project cost and planning manager: Capita Symonds, contractor: HBG, architect: Building Design Partnership, services engineer: Hulley & Kirkwood, structural engineer: Halcrow, client: Glasgow City Council

QS’ VIEW: “It was an interesting cost management exercise. Part of the funding was raised by a public appeal but because the money wasn't in the bank from the start we had to design things without knowing whether we could do it. We relied hugely on the goodwill of the contractor. There was potential for things to go badly if the relationship hadn't been so strong." – George Webb, technical director, Capita Symonds